Steroid Use in Youth Athletes

The use of anabolic steroids is a hot sports issue. It has implications for both professional players and for young athletes who feel that they won’t have a competitive edge without steroids or other performance enhancers.  But, while professional athletes have a variety of trainers, nutritionists and health care specialists available, kids are on their own. And unlike international, professional and collegiate sports competitions and programs, high school athletic programs rarely test for steroid use.

Despite media warnings about the risks of anabolic steroids—which include fertility problems, potentially irreversible masculine traits in females and breast enlargement in males, toxic effects on the liver and cardiovascular system, arrested growth, and damaging psychiatric side effects—kids keep taking them.

According to surveys, 6.1% of students nationwide had taken oral or injected steroids without a doctor’s prescription at least once. The motivation to use steroids often comes from peer pressure, andin some cases, from parental demands to achieve greater goals. In addition, some teenagers simply want to look better.

What are Some Signs of Steroid Use?

- Increased weight gain in a short period of time

- Puffy, bloated facial features from water retention

- Increased acne on face, chest, and back

- Mood swings and irritability

- Masculine features in females

- Obsession in training

- Obsession with Sports Supplements

- Increased number of joint injuries

Additional Resources:

United States Anti-doping Association 

www.usaantidoping.org/dro/search/

NCAA List of Banned Substances

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/domi/genrel/auto_pdf/ncaa-banned-substance-list.pdf